Before you judge

Have you ever wondered why it was the prostitute that became the hero and got to help the Israelites capture Jericho?

Why her of all people? Why not the faithful few? Why did the people need a spy, a liar, not to mention a woman who sold her body for sex- to save this story.

But God used her, the prostitute. God used David, the murderer. God used the thief, the widow, the quick tempered, the doubter. And God didn't define them by their weaknesses, their sins, their lives' struggles. He saw beyond external appearance. He saw what the world couldn't see.

He saw the light in them. He saw their potential and He chose to use their faith to bring glory to His name.

It's so easy for me to judge the people around me. To say "this girls legit, this girls weak, this guy is a coward." To make assumptions and decisions based on personal appearance and impressions. And yet so often people surprise you, if you get to know them, you will find that they are not how you labeled them.

I can personally attest to being falsely judged so many times. From elementary school being thought of as the goodie good who could do no wrong, to being called defiant and rebellious, and even a hypocrite who doesn't practice what she believes. And it hurts to be judged by others- especially when people say things about you don't believe are true.

If you only knew my story...
If you could only see..
If only you asked me that question before making that assumption or believing that lie..

Maybe you would think differently. Maybe you would know who I am--

but maybe not.

For the judged, the misunderstood, the misinterpreted, Jesus sees you. For the one who was falsely accused and slandered, Jesus knows. For the one who feels like they are all alone with people around them who don't value them, Jesus cares. And for the one who's judging others, Jesus commands "In the same way you judge others, you will be judged."

He was the King of being misunderstood, being judged falsely, persecuted unjustly, unaccepted, un-cared for the way he deserved. But despite the misunderstandings and lies others told of Him, He extended abounding grace and acceptance on each person that he met.

So before you judge your neighbors today, re-encounter Jesus. Remember the Lord who sacrificed His Kingdom to come as a baby and be born in a dirty sinful world. Remember the kindness of the man who knelt in the sand with the woman who had slept with far too many men. Remember the Christ whose hands were pierced with nails- and yet spent his last breath- praying for His enemies' forgiveness.

And may we see others a little differently. May we get to know their hearts and want to hear their stories. May we pray for them and love them- even when they are different, even when they hurt us. And maybe just maybe before we judge, we will look at ourselves and remember how we have fallen too. And we will remember how the Savior picked us up and help our friends stand to meet Him. Maybe just maybe before we judge, we could think of Jesus and instead of judging, choose to be loving.